EXCLUSIVE: Robert Downey Jr. Eyeing 'How to Talk to Girls'

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Robert Downey Jr. has officially left the orbit of Gravity, the Alfonso Cuaron outer space survival thriller set up at Warner Bros.

But those who need their Downey fix can turn their attention to Fox’s How to Talk to Girls.  

Sources say that actor is circling the project, an adaptation of a book by a nine-year old boy revolving around advice on how to deal with the opposite sex. Downey, along with wife and producing partner Susan Downey, would also come aboard as a producer, joining Shawn Levy and his 21 Laps banner.

Girls was written by Alec Greven, then 9 years old, as a school project. It landed the boy a publishing deal (at least three other How to Talk to ... books have been written) and put him on talk shows across the country.

Ben Karlin and Stu Zicherman wrote a draft but word is that the project is being reconceived and developed as a Downey vehicle. Susan Downey will spearhead the development process and will oversee the hiring of a writer. At the time of Fox acquisition, Levy said he wanted to make a comedy in the tone of Big.

No deals have been made and insiders caution that Downey is only eyeing Girls. The actor is still attached to Oz: The Great and Powerful at Disney, which the studio is hoping to start shooting next summer.

With regards to Gravity, Sandra Bullock is still in negotiations to star in the pic, and Warners will likely recast the character which only appeared in the first act.